Workers' Comp & Auto · Insurance Term
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Definition
Personal injury protection (PIP) is auto insurance that pays medical bills and some lost income for people in your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who caused it. In Texas, an auto liability policy must include it unless a named insured rejects it in writing.
In Plain English
PIP is part of an auto policy, including commercial auto insurance. It pays covered medical expenses, and usually part of lost income, for the driver and passengers after an accident. It pays without waiting for fault to be decided.
PIP overlaps with medical payments coverage, which also pays medical bills but generally not lost income. For employees hurt while driving for work, workers' compensation or other coverage may also respond, and how they coordinate depends on the policies.
PIP is different from uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which pays when the other driver is at fault and has too little or no insurance.
Not sure how your policy handles this? Have us review it, or get a quote.
Example
Hypothetical and simplified: a property management company's pickup is rear-ended with two employees inside. PIP on the commercial auto policy could help pay medical bills and lost income up to its limit, subject to how it coordinates with workers' compensation, while the at-fault driver's coverage is sorted out.
Why It Matters for Texas Property Owners
Texas law says an insurer may not issue an auto liability policy in the state unless it provides PIP, unless a named insured rejects it in writing (Ins. Code §1952.152). Insurers are not required to provide more than $2,500 per person (§1952.153). If PIP was rejected on an earlier policy with the same insurer, it may stay off at renewal unless you ask for it in writing.
What to Watch For
- Check whether PIP is on your commercial auto policy or was rejected in writing.
- Ask how PIP coordinates with workers' compensation for employees hurt while driving.
- Review PIP and medical payments limits together with your other coverage.
Sources
- Texas Insurance Code §1952.152 (PIP required unless rejected)
- Texas Insurance Code §1952.153 (maximum required PIP amount)
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write